Heat vs. Thunder: How Miami Can Slow Down Each of Oklahoma City's Big Three

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant outscored the Miami Heat 41-40 in the second half. If the Heat are going to have any chance in this series, they will have to slow down the Thunder's dynamic duo. 

Oh yeah, and James Harden, too.

The Beard scored just five points in 22 minutes, but that's far from likely to happen again. 

While the Heat aren't going to stop the Thunder's "Big Three" weapons, they must find a way to at least slow them down and force the role players make plays. Let's take a look at how they can do that. 

Russell Westbrook

In case you weren't sure, Russell Westbrook is fast. Like, cheetah-on-roller-skates-with-a-rocket-up-its-butt-in-fast-forward fast. 

In almost a similar way to LeBron James, if you let Westbrook get a head of steam or a few steps towards the basket, it's over. He's getting to the hoop and either finishing with a layup, dunk or a foul. There's no question about it.

So how do you stop that type of weapon? You have to get him moving away from the basket. 

One way is to pick him up early. If the Thunder are on the break or Westbrook is pushing the tempo, it's worth it to pick him up at half court, change his direction, and even give up a foul to make Oklahoma City set back up in the half court. 

Another way to stop Westbrook comes from ESPN's Sebastian Pruiti: Trap him on the pick-and-roll. When the Heat trapped Westbrook off the pick-and-roll during the regular season, this happened:

Of course, when they did it during Game 1, Westbrook made the adjustment and started finding Serge Ibaka on the roll for baskets.

When that happened, Miami started switching screens and everything went to hell. That's exactly what they can't do. 

Even if Serge Ibaka is getting open looks in the middle, that's fine. The Heat would be better served letting Ibaka beat them than Westbrook. They must continue to trap the screens and force Westbrook to make the passes.

If not, he's going to continue to get into the lane with ease and cause a lot more trouble than Ibaka or Nick Collison can. 

James Harden

The Heat did a pretty good job containing Harden in Game 1, but that's because he got in foul trouble and only attempted six shots. 

Harden is a lot like Westbrook in that he is most effective when he can go north and south with the basketball in his hands. He's not nearly as quick, but when he gets a step into the lane, he is an elite finisher. 

Of course, he can also knock down the three at a high rate, so this depends on what role the Beard is playing.

If he's the ball-handler, the Heat need to treat him just like Westbrook. Show high on the screens and make him give it up.

If Harden is playing the 2 and moving off screens or setting up in the corner, however, the Heat should put a bigger, stronger player like LeBron James on him.

He can fight through screens away from the ball much easier. He can disrupt his shots and cause problems with his length, and Harden doesn't have the elite quickness to take advantage of James' slower step. 

 

Kevin Durant

How to stop Kevin Durant? Hmm. Pray?

When it comes down to it, you can't stop the scoring champ, you can only hope to contain him. 

LeBron James is obviously Miami's best defender and will have to be on Durant for a large amount of the time, but as I just mentioned, I like his ability to absolutely shut down James Harden and turn OKC's Big Three into the "Big Two." 

When that happens, who does Miami put on Durant?

He's not as good of a defender as he used to be, but the answer to that question has to be Shane Battier. 

At the very least, he's going to annoy Durant (via Chris Tomasson):

"

Kevin Durant on Shane Battier shielding his eyes when Durant shoots: "I absolutely hate it. But I've gotten used to it over the years. Playing Shane ever since he was in Houston... You just got to be disciplined on your shot... I got to free myself up from it. He is a good defender... He's probably the only guy who does that.''

"

The most important thing for whoever guards Durant is that he needs to forget about help defense. It may hurt the team defense, and it may result in a few open jumpers or layups for other players, but the Heat absolutely cannot give Kevin Durant open mid-range jumpers or threes.

Or do this (via ESPN's Eamonn Brennan):

"

Best part of the fourth quarter: Wade and Battier respecting the Fisher slip in lieu of guarding Durant. Good call, fellas.

— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) June 13, 2012"

So, yes, I'm proposing to simply face guard Kevin Durant and do whatever you can to not let him get the ball. More often than not, if you deny him for 10 seconds, Westbrook will forget about him and take a contested jumper.

If Durant gets the ball, though, it's over. 

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